North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan Thursday, its first such launch during U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, Reuters and CNN reported.

In a statement, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said a pair of short-range missiles had been launched from the Hamju area of South Hamgyong province that fell into the sea outside Japan's territorial waters.

Japan is set to host its delayed and pandemic-affected Olympic Games in less than four months.

North Korea's ballistic missiles are banned under U.N. Security Council Resolutions, and the launch represents a new challenge to Biden's efforts to engage with Pyongyang, which have so far been rejected.

Pyongyang has said it's not interested in talks until the U.S. scraps its "hostile policy," military exercises and other activities on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong expressed "deep concern" over the launches and urged Pyongyang to uphold its commitments for peace.

South Korea's presidential Blue House will convene an emergency meeting of its National Security Council to discuss the North's missile launches.

According to the U.S. military's Indo-Pacific Command, the missile launches underscore the threat North Korea's weapons program poses to its neighbors and the international community.

The missiles flew around 280 miles, reaching an altitude of 37 miles and are believed to have been ballistic missiles fired from the ground, reports said.

It is North Korea's first ballistic missile launch in about a year, though the country has more recently fired smaller "projectiles".

"While our military has strengthened awareness and monitoring, U.S.-ROK (Republic of Korea) officials are closely working together and maintaining readiness," South Korean officials said.